Overview

International Students studying in UK for Centuries.Every year, over 600,000 international students come to the country to pursue a variety of academic programs ranging from bachelor’s degrees to PhDs. Here are some of the major highlights of studying in the UK.

High Ranking Universities

 British institutions dominate the top places in international rankings. 3 of the top 10 globally- ranked universities are in UK

High Standard of Teaching

British universities enjoy a reputation for cutting-edge research and world-class education and are tightly regulated by British Government.

Flexible Education System

UK offers many course options, shorter length of study, affordable options to choose from.

Cultural Diversity and Lifestyle

UK has very inclusive society and are very open to new religions and cultures. UK is the home of the English and is famous for their music, art, travel and history.

High Quality of Life

Housing, transportation, Healthcare (NHS), Student discount, Travel and among the many benefits of living in UK.

Post- Study Work Permit

UK offers a minimum 2 Year of Post Study Work Permit for eligible programs and many immigration routes to work and settle post study.

Location & Geography

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state situated west of continental Europe; its total area is 244,820 square kilometres. Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. with a land border (with the Republic of Ireland); the rest of the state is surrounded by bodies of water (the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel, and the Irish Sea. The English Channel separates the U.K.’s southern coastline from France.

UK is made up of 4 Countries: England, Scotland, Wales& Northern Ireland. Major Cities in UK are London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Glasgow, Edinburgh. London a major financial centre for the world.

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Education System

Education system in the four jurisdictions of the UK namely England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are slightly different from each other and governed by their individual laws and regulation. The education system in the UK consists of four stages:

Primary Education

up to Year 6

Secondary Education

Year 7-11

Further Education

Year 12-13

Higher Education

Consist of UG and PG studies

Types of Universities in UK

Russell Group

Association of 24 British universities founded in 1994, to represent the interest of its members E.g University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, University of Exeter, etc.

Red Brick

Founded in 19th century in major industrial cities E.g., University of Liverpool, University of Birmingham, University of Manchester, University of Leeds, University of Bristol, University of Reading, University of Nottingham, Newcastle University, University of Sheffield

Plate Glass

Founded between 1963 – 1992, also referred as ‘Campus Universities’ as part of education reform to increase the number of universities in the UK. E.g. University of Essex, Aston University, University of Bath, University of Bradford etc.

Higher education in the UK

The UK has just over 438,000 international students enrolled in higher education. Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. For an international student there are many pathway programs such as English language courses and foundation courses are available for a transition to university level.
Let us discuss about the types of higher education course.

Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) HND usually has vocational or professional elements. It is equivalent to the first two years of a university course.
Certificates or Diplomas of Higher Education (Cert HE/Dip HE) Courses can be academic, but are mainly linked to a particular job or profession such as nursing and social work. They are normally equivalent to the first two years of a degree.
Foundation degrees (Fd A/Fd Sc) A foundation degree is equivalent to the first two years of an honour’s degree. It usually involves academic study and work-based learning with an employer.
Bachelor’s Degrees Typically awarded after 3 years of full-time study in United Kingdom, except in Scotland which is 4 years.
Pathway Programs Preparatory program to gain the academic or English language skills they need for admission in higher education courses.
Sandwich courses A sandwich course is a program where you will have at least one session to work in a particular industry as part of your course. For UG it is 2 years of study and  9-12 months work on project/internship/study abroad placement and for PG is it usually 1 year of study and 1 year of work.
Integrated courses A four-year program that combines undergraduate and graduate studies. Students are admitted after A-levels(further education), and do not receive a Bachelor’s degree in the process.
Postgraduate certificates and diploma (PG Cert/PG Dip) Allows students to study something new or build on the skills and knowledge already gained during their undergraduate degree. They are usually shorter than a master’s and students won’t have to do a thesis or dissertation.
Master’s Degree Typically, 1 year course. Master’s program can be study based such as MA, M.Sc., LLM, MBA or research-based such as MPhil, PhD, DPhil.
Doctorate Degree The highest academic level, often leading to careers in academia (as a lecturer or researcher).A master’s degree is often required for admission into a PhD, but isn’t always necessary.

Tuition Fees And Living Expense

Fees to study in UK depend on the university, type of program and the location. Average costs in the UK are comparatively lower than in Australia or the United States.UK graduates are among the most employable in the world with an overall employability rate of 96.7%.

Degree type Average Tuition Fees Per Year
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree £8,000 to £16,000
Postgraduate Master’s degree £10,000 to £20,000
Doctoral Degree £13,000 to £29,000
MBA $30,000-$40,000

Living expenses costs are generally higher in bigger cities, and also depend on a student’s lifestyle, choice of housing, and spending habits. London, in particular, has the highest cost of living in the UK. On an average an international student need £1,265 per month for students studying in London and £1,015 per month for students studying outside of London.

Popular Courses in United Kingdom

Nursing
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Mental Health and Learning Disability
Psychology
  • Psychologists
  • Therapists
  • Social Workers
Medicine Allied Subjects
  • Optometry
  • Dentistry
Law
  • Can combine with Business
  • Politics or Journalism
Computer Science
  • IT
  • Games Development
  • Software Engineering
  • Design and Security
Design Studies
  • Fashion
  • Animation
  • Illustration
Management Studies
  • Business
  • Hospitality
  • Tourism
Business and Administration Studies
  • Analysis
  • Statistics
  • Finance
  • Economics

Admission criteria to study in United Kingdom:

Type of Institute Level Of Study Min.Requirement
Pathways All Indian Senior School Certificate with an average of 60-65% (approx.) IELTS: 5.5 with no band less than 5

TOEFL:IBT 65 with no band less than 55

PTE academic 42

Undergraduate All Indian Senior School Certificate with an average of 60-65% (approx.) IELTS: 5.5 with no band less than 5

TOEFL: IBT 75

PTE academic 50

Postgraduate Bachelor’s degree with Industry experience IELTS: 6.5 with no band less than 6

TOEFL: IBT 79

PTE: academic 58

Let us know if you want to know more about the admission requirements to study in the UK.

Upcoming intakes in United Kingdom

UK offers 3 intakes available to the international students:

Intake 1

It commences in September/October and is the major intake.

Intake 2

It commences in January/February intake is also available

Intake 3

It commences in May/June and is available for selected Courses.

Job Opportunity

  • Work Placement or Sandwich course (at point of course application)
  • Part Time – (20 Hours a week for full time student studying a bachelor or above)
  • Holiday Working – (40 Hours a week outside the term time)
  • On Campus and/or Off- Campus jobs

Admission Process To Study in United Kingdom

1

Get free counselling from Keyway Abroad

2

Shortlist the course and university

3

Prepare for English proficiency and aptitude tests like TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT/SAT.

4

Gather documents for the application, write SOPs and LORs etc.

5

Apply to the university with Keyway Abroad

6

Get the offer letter

7

Get medical done, prepare bank letter, pay tuition fees

8

Apply for CAS – pass the interview - get the CAS

9

Apply for the VISA – Biometric+ Submission (2-3 week waiting period)

10

Get the VISA - FLY TO UK

Admission Process To Study in United Kingdom

1

Get free counselling from Keyway Abroad

2

Shortlist the course and university

3

Prepare for English proficiency and aptitude tests like TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT/SAT.

4

Gather documents for the application, write SOPs and LORs etc.

5

Apply to the university with Keyway Abroad

6

Get the offer letter

7

Get medical done, prepare bank letter, pay tuition fees

8

Apply for CAS – pass the interview - get the CAS

9

Apply for the VISA – Biometric+ Submission (2-3 week waiting period)

10

Get the VISA - FLY TO UK

After You Graduate


If the graduate international student on a valid student visa holds a job offer with an annual salary of at least GBP 20,800, they are permitted to stay in the UK onTier 2 General Visa which lasts up to five years. The work experience students gain while working may help them in qualifying for permanent residence, provided their annual income must be at least GBP 35,000.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why study in UK is a good option?

The UK has always been one of the most popular study destinations for education in the world. With the 2-year post-study work visa and good settlement options with tier 2 sponsors UK is emerging as the top choice for international students.

What is the academic calendar for universities in the UK?

The standard academic year starts in September/October and runs until June/July. There are many other courses that offer a variety of start dates.

How much it cost to study in UK?

Tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate degrees generally range from £10K – £20K. the living cost ranges from £500 – £900 Pounds per month, depending upon the city and the spending habits. On an average you will need £20,000 annually to study in the UK.

Are scholarships available to international students in the UK?

Almost every university offers scholarships to international students in the UK, it ranges from £1000-£10,000.

Is there any entrance test required to study in UK?

Mainly, English language tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE are required by most of the Universities. GRE, GMAT or SAT are required only by few Universities and for selected courses.

Is IELTS mandatory for UK student visa?

Yes, in most cases IELTS is needed for applying at University in UK. However, some universities offer exemption on the bases of your English marks in obtained in class 12 (ranges from 60 to 80 marks).

Do I have to give interview for university application?

It depends on the university and course you are applying to. Many universities in the UK conduct credibility interview before confirming an admission and many give offer letter on the basis of your academics and supporting documents. There is no embassy interview as of now.

Is study gap acceptable in UK?

Study gap is acceptable if justified with work experience. For a master program, you can have maximum of 10-12 years of experience and for a bachelor program, you can have maximum of 2-3 year of experience in-between.

Can I work while study in the UK?

Yes, as an international student you’re allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during study and full-time during holiday break.

How long does it take for UK student visa?

The whole process can take around 30-45 working days if all requirement documents are timely submitted.

What documents are required for UK student visa?

There is a VFS checklist to be followed for student visa in UK. Here is the list.
Tuberculosis test certificate
Financial Requirement
Health Surcharge reference number
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
ATAS Certificate is required by some student if indicated on your CAS.

Do I need private medical insurance as an international student in UK?

International students do not need an extra private medical insurance when studying in the UK. Although they have to purchase NHS when applying for a visa, which will cost just £150 per year.

Is medical test required for UK student visa?

Yes, medical test (TB test and chest x-ray) is mandatory for UK visa. It has to be done by the certified practitioner by UK government. It costs around 2000 INR.
You can read more about it on https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa.

How much bank balance is required for UK student visa?

Student needs to show 28 days bank statement covering 9 months of living expense & remaining tuition fees if any. If university is based out of Greater London, £1,265 per month as a living expense. The maximum amount you will need for your living costs is £11,385.
Let’s understand the calculation with an example.
For a 1-year Master’s course, your tuition fees are £15,000 and you have paid your £5,000 deposit plus an extra £2,000 towards your fees. Then you have to show £8,000 (£15,000 – £5000 – £2000) for your tuition fees and £11,385.00 (£1,265 × 9 months) for your living costs. The total amount you are required to show is £19,385.00 (£8,500 + £11,385).

What is CAS?

CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. UK immigration rules require the University to sponsor your application for a student visa. You will need a CAS number to apply for a visa to allow you to study in the UK. Your institution will also send a unique reference number that will match up with your CAS. You have to mention this reference number on the Tier 4 visa application form for the visa official to process your application and confirm that you have an unconditional offer from the university.

How much can I earn working as a student?

Students can earn around $18 to $22 an hour working as a part-time or full time. Students also require to have a Tax File Number (TFN) to work in Australia.

What is the migration option after the completion of my study?

After completing 2 years of study in Australia, students can stay back for 24 months on post study work visa, during which they can work full time and gain points for the General Skilled Migrant Policy of PR. You can also apply for an employer-sponsored visa after study if you have secured a job in Australia.